Two golds, one bronze for Aggies at World Juniors

July 15, 2012

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Courtesy: Texas A&M Athletics

(photo: Texas A&M Athletics)

BARCELONA, Spain - The final day of the IAAF World Junior
Championships resulted in two gold medals and one bronze medal for three Aggie
athletes representing the United States at Olympic Stadium. Four Texas A&M
athletes totaled four gold medals, one silver medal and a pair of bronze medals
during the six-day event.

Aldrich Bailey and Olivia Ekponé each ran second leg on
their respective 4 x 400 relays as the United States claimed two gold medals
and completed a sweep of the relay events at the World Juniors.

In the women's discus Shelbi Vaughan tossed the platter 197
feet, 1 inch (60.07) to finish third behind a pair of German throwers. Vaughan
took over the lead twice in the competition, in rounds two (58.46) and four 197-1.

Round six had both German throwers passing Vaughan to snare
gold and silver with marks of 204-8 (62.38) and 198-2 (60.42). Vaughan, who
fouled three times, finished the day with a 192-8 (58.72) in the final stanza.

"I'm excited," said Vaughan. "I wish I could have gotten a
further throw out there, and I was looking to place higher than third because
that's where I finished last year in the World Youth Championships. But, third
in the world - can't complain.

"I was excited to hit 60 (meters) because it is close to my personal
best. I was really hoping to get another PB, but it didn't happen today. I'm
still the youngest of these girls that made the finals, so I'm pleased."

The women's 4 x 400 relay team had to rerun its semifinal
race after they protested a disqualification from the previous day. They
clocked 3:34.25 to become the ninth team in the final.

Starting in lane nine the Americans controlled the race from
the opening leg. Ekponé increased the U.S. lead on her second leg carry.

While Jamaica challenged on the third leg, the American
squad closed out the 3:30.01 victory with NCAA champion Ashley Spencer of
Illinois on anchor leg. Jamaica finished second in 3:32.97 with Russia third in
3:36.42.

Bailey also placed the United States men's team in solid
position with his second leg carry. The American squad rolled to a 3:03.99
victory over Poland (3:05.05) and Trinidad (3:06.32).

"This was great, but kind of sad that it's over," said
Bailey, who earned a gold medal with the 4 x 100 relay and an individual bronze
in the 400m. "Now, when I get back home, I'm going to miss the team. This was
fun, and it was worth it. I'll do it all over again.

"We did well as a team. We just wanted to come out and
represent the United States. I came out of here with three medals, so I can't
be mad."